LECTURE IV.

THE INGATHERING AND GLORIFICATION OF

THE CHURCH.

CHRIST

• ...

EPHESIANS V. 25, 26, 27.

LOVED THE CHURCH, AND GAVE Himself FOR IT; THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY AND CLEANSE IT WITH THE WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD, THAT HE MIGHT PRESENT IT TO HIMSELF A GLORIOUS CHURCH, NOT HAVING SPOT, OR WRINKLE, OR ANY SUCH THING; BUT THAT IT SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH.

As Christ is the exclusive author, so is the Church mystical the exclusive recipient of salvation. That Church may be be regarded in a threefold light. She may be viewed in her relation to God the Father, as the whole company of his elect';-in her relation to God the Son, as the flock which he hath purchased with his own blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation';—in

L. IV. THE MYSTICAL CHURCH HAS EVER BEEN 141

her relation to God the Holy Ghost, as the general assembly of those whom he hath effectually called by his grace. In each and all these aspects is she the only destined theatre for the exhibition of those mysteries of redeeming love into which angels desire to look, as into the one surpassing manifestation of the glory of God.

And so has it been from the very beginning. Immediately that Adam fell was the foundation of this spiritual edifice laid in the primæval promise of redemption. Successive ages beheld it rise, as, one by one, Abel, Enoch, Noah, and all who, like them, by faith obtained a good report, were builded up upon the one chief corner stone.

Nor did the holy temple undergo any essential change, when, for a special purpose, it pleased God for a season to confer peculiar privileges upon the posterity of Abraham. Still were they only true members of the mystical church who partook of that faith which constituted him the father of all them that believe. And still was that mystical church alone the one only rightful owner of spiritual promise and blessing; the one only perpetual witness before angels and men to the redeeming mercy, wisdom, and faithfulness of a Triune Jehovah.

But the Jews in general discerned not this distinction between the visible congregation and the mystical fellowship,-between the temporary scaf

c 1 Cor. xii. 12, 13.

d 1 Pet. i. 12.

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L. IV.

folding without, and the enduring structure within. Hence their total misunderstanding of the prophecies; hence their obstinate, their fatal rebellion, when, on the manifestation of the promised seed, the Mosaic œconomy, having subserved the purposes for which it was designed, was superseded by the Christian dispensation".

Nor are the Jews the only offenders herein. Believing Gentiles have been found in all generations, with whom the certain existence and the revealed design of the mystical church have been at best but unapplied theories; theories which have in many cases been effectually neutralized by the adoption of Jewish prejudice with regard to the carnal offspring of Abraham, and the consequent denial of the just and exclusive rights of his spiritual seed.

I shall have occasion to revert to this subject in my concluding Lecture. Probably enough has now been said to account for those sanguine anticipations which it was the object of my last discourse to analyze and to dispel. Enough also has been said to impress upon your minds the grand scriptural truth, that, from the beginning of the world to the end of time, the Church,understanding thereby the spiritual bride taken from the pierced side of the second Adam,-has been and shall be one and indivisible, the sole and only recipient of the salvation of God, the sole e See Owen on the Hebrews, Preliminary Exercitation VI.

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OF THE SALVATION OF GOD.

143

and only partaker of the divine life of his exalted Christ1.

But of what is the Church composed? She is composed of sinners :-sinners ;-corrupt sinners; -guilty sinners;-without one single exception. How can such materials furnish a display of the divine attributes worthy the contemplation of the universe?

My text answers the question. It sets forth the several steps by which the wisdom of God has compassed, in the history of the Church of the firstborn, the exhibition of all his perfections. Those steps are four in number:-Christ loved the Church;-Christ gave himself for it ;-Christ sanctifies it;-Christ will present it to himself a

f "That Church of Christ, which we properly term his body mystical, can be but one; neither can that one be sensibly discerned by any man, inasmuch as the parts thereof are some in heaven already with Christ, and the rest that are on earth (albeit their natural persons be visible) we do not discern under this property, whereby they are truly and infallibly of that body. Only our minds by intellectual conceit are able to apprehend, that such a real body there is, a body collective, because it containeth an huge multitude; a body mystical, because the mystery of their conjunction is removed altogether from sense. Whatsoever we read in Scripture concerning the endless love and the saving mercy which God sheweth towards his Church, the only proper subject thereof is this Church. Concerning this flock it is that our Lord and Saviour hath promised, 'I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hands.'" Hooker, Ecclesiastical Polity, book iii. chap. i. §. 2. Oxford, 1845, vol. i. p. 338.

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L. IV.

glorious Church. Such is grace's triumphant progress!

Upon its two earlier stages I may not dwell at length to day. As to the first, it is enough that I remind you how, in the counsels of eternity, God the Son, having loved the Church, thereupon engaged to take part of flesh and blood, in order that, as the near kinsman of his many brethren, he might discharge for them the redeemer's office,avenging their quarrel, ransoming their persons, and recovering their inheritance". Nor did he fail in accomplishing to the utmost the task which he had undertaken. For mark the second stage in the progress of his love. "Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it." "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." Yes! the ransom life has been given, the prey has been taken from the mighty, -the lawful captives have been delivered',-the many prisoners of hope have been sent forth, in the person of their divine surety, from the pit wherein is no water". And now hearken to the

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Gospel proclamation! Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without

8 Rom. viii. 29.

b Heb. ii. 14, 15. Deut. xix. 6. Lev. xxv. 48. Ruth iv. 5.